Morse code hand signaling devices



FIPBIO XR M1233 Ex y c. L. CLEEK 3,001,185

MORSE CODE HAND SIGNALING DEVICES sepf.19, 1961 Filed Sept. 14, 1959 2 SheetsfSheet 1 C. L. Cleek Sept. 19, 1961 c. l.. CLEEK 3,001,185

MORSE conn: HAND SIGNALING nEvIcEs Filed Sept. 14, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 0 Illl llmll Iml www Imulll LO ML 0% ATTORNEY .United States Patent() Mitx:-

4 Claims. (Cl. S40- 366) The present invention relates to Morse code hand signaling devices, and is directed more particularly to that type employing battery power for energizing the light source.

An object of the present invention is to provide a compact, simple, lightweight construction of relatively few moving parts which can be assembled and disassembled even by children.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device somewhat resembling signal lamps employed upon marine-type vessels for the training 'of signalmen.

A further object of the present invention is 'to provide a signal device of the character described which may be used on hiking trips and on lakes for signaling between boats and shore.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the inven- V tion will be more fully described hereinafter, and will be more particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto.

In the drawings, wherein like symbols refer to like or corresponding parts throughout the several views:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a hand signaling device constructed in accordance with the present invention shown in the hand of a user with the shutters in the open position;

FIGURE 2 is a bottom perspective view of a device constructed in accordance with the present invention with the shutters in the closed position;

FIGURE 3 is a front elevational view looking into the device with the shutters in the closed position;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical section taken on the line 4-4 in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a transverse section taken on the line 5-5 in FIGURE 4;

FIGUR-E 6 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 6-6 in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 4 with the shutters shown in the open position and the light source in the energized position, and

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of the shutter actuating -mechanism having parts broken away and parts shown in section illustrating the normally biased closed positioning means of the shutter mechanism.

Referring now to FIGURES 1 through 3 inclusive, 10 designates generally a cylindrical light housing closed at one end as at 10 and having a shutter closure device 11 at its other end. Shutters 12 are pivotally mounted in the shutter cover assembly 11. Depending from the cylin- Patented Sept'. 19, 1961 Located approximate the rear or closed portion 18 of the cylindrical housing 10 is a battery 21 of the nashlight or dry type. Support members 22 are provided in the housing at the rear portion thereof and are provided with cutouts 23 to accommodate the battery 21 to properly position the same.

Located between the shutter closure member 1:1 and the battery 21 is a polished reliector 24 of the conventional ashlight type having a screw socket base for receiving conventional dashlight bulb 25 therein.

The circuitry between the lamp 25 and the battery 21 in the form of the invention illustrated and as bestseen in FIGURES 4 and 7, comprises a conductive path of metallic material 26, one end of which is secured to the rear of the reflector and adapted to be placed in electrical connection with the outer portion of the socket of the lamp 25 and the other end of which is adapted to be resliently biased or urged into contact with one of the terminals of the tiashlight battery 21. The other leg of the circuit between the center contact of the base of the lamp 25 and the battery 21 is provided by means of a metallic path of the conductive -material 27 which is secured to, but insulated from, the recctor 24, and a portion of which is positioned to be engaged by a projection 14c of the trigger 14 whereby upon rotation of the trigger 14 about the pivot 14h, the projection-14c will urge the conductive material 27 into physical and electrical contact rwith the other pole of the battery 21 to thereby complete the circuit between the lamp 25 and battery 21 causing illumination of the lamp.

As best seen in FIGURE 8, the shutter 12 whose tongue 19 is pivotally connected to the operating rod 20 is biased to a normally closed position by a helical spring 28 carried by the pivot, one end of which 28a engages the operating rod 20 while the other end 28b engages the tongue 19 In operation, the battery 21 is tirst placed in the housi ing 10 in the manner shown in FIGURE 4 and the reiiector and lamp assembly 24, 25 is then placed in position. It will be noted that the lower portion of the reector assembly is slotted to permit movement of the portion 14a of the trigger The closure cover 11 is then placed on the open end of the cylindrical housing 10 in such a manner that the forward extension 14l of the trigger 14 lies over and is positioned against the right angle extension 20a of the shutter operating rod 20 whereby upon squeezing the trigger 14, the forward portion of the drical light housing 10 is a pistol-type hand grip 13 which rod 20. The shutter operating rod 20 has at its lower end Y a projection 20 extending 0E at substantially right angles thereto which is positioned to be engaged by a forward extension -14 of the trigger 14. The trigger pivots about a pivot 14h.

trigger 14#l rocks in a counterclockwise direction pulling the shutter operating rod 20 downwardly causing the shutters to open, as best seen n FIGURE 7. The origin position of the trigger in this lfigure is shown in dotted lines as are the shutters.

Simultaneously with this opening of the shutter mechanism, the projection 14 engages the resilient strip of conductive material 27 and urges same into contact with the battery 21 to complete the circuit between the battery and the lamp, whereby a source of light emitted from the lamp will be viewable through the open shutters from the front end of the device. Each time the trigger is released, the resiliency of the helical springs 28 will cause the shutter operating rod to be elevated to the position of FIG- URE 4, closing the shutters and simultaneously breaking the electrical contact between the battery 21 and the strip of resilient conductive material 27.

When the device is properly assembled, the lamp 25 cannot be energized unless the shutters v12 are open.

Although I have disclosed herein the best form of the invention known to me at this time, I reserve the right to all such modifications and changes as may-come within 'the scope of the following claims.

What is -claimed is:

1. A hand signaling device comprising a receptacle having one end thereof open, a light source in said receptacle, normally open circuit means for energizing said light source comprising a source of energy, normally closed shutter closure means mounted in the light path between said light source and the open end of said receptacle, a pistol grip depending from said receptacle, a trigger being mounted on said pistol grip, and means operatively connected with said trigger for simultaneously closing said circuit means and opening said shutter closure means to thereby simultaneously energize said light source and open said shutter closure means.

2. A hand signaling device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said shutter closure means comprises a plurality of shutters positioned one above the other in overlapping -relationship and each of which is connected to a common operating rod having a helical spring between each shutter and the rod for biasing the shutters to the normally closed position and which rod is provided at its base with means 20 positioned to be engaged by the trigger whereby upon squeezing of the trigger the shutters are swung to the open position..

3. The device of claim 1, said source of energy being a battery carried in said receptacle.

4. A hand signaling device as claimed in claim l, wherein a reflector is provided in said receptacle, said light source being electrically and mechanically connected with said reflector, and wherein said normally open circuit means comprises a strip of resilient material extending between the reector and one pole of the battery and wherein the other element is a strip of resilient conductive material extending between the lamp and the other pole of the battery, being positioned to be engaged by the trigger upon squeezing thereof to close the circuit whereby the lamp is energized.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,000,039 Redding Aug. 8, 1911 1,191,528 Midgley July 18, 1916 2,894,117 Koskey July 7, 1959 l FOREIGN PATENTS 565,174 Great Britain Oct. 14, 1944 784,788 Great Britain Oct. 16, 1957 

